They say it makes perfect? I'm a pretty decent bass player? And most stuff I can just play along with and record pretty quickly. However, the one I'm working on now w/mister no999 is "tricky." And we're doing a tribute version as per usual. He nailed the tempo map and drums, and next I'm going to lay in the bass. 

Even though I'm a bass player? I've been practicing the part. Actually took the cover in and slowed it down (in the same key) using SoundForge so I could listen to exactly what the bass player is doing, and play along with it/practice it. It's "tricky..." But I should be ready to start comping it in later this week. 

I know most here are VERY talented musicians... I'm wondering if anyone else ever practices a part before laying it down? They say practice makes perfect? I'll settle for "Just damn!"  The bass and guitar are performance instruments, as opposed to MIDI, so they require much more discipline to get right. The MIDI instruments we have so much control over, "it's like cheating." But a performance instrument demands a lot from its owner. 

Practice doesn`t make Perfect, only Perfect Practice can make Perfect.

So do you practice? Or do you just jam? I used to "and normally" just jam? And I know the super talented musicians here just jam? Like I said, I'm pretty good? But I'm not "that guy?" who never needs to practice? I know they are here? However, there must be others like me here as well? Where even tough you play the instrument? And have done so for years? A part comes where you have to "man up?" And as a result, you have to practice that shiz for days/weeks... Because a) "it's trickey..." And perhaps at the edge of your ability? And b) you want it to be "just so..."

I would love to have the drive to practise more often...but I often am too lazy or just not ambitious enough. That is why I never will be a killer musician, just a "okay" guitarist and bassist. But practise with the band does wonders - even though we will never be masters of our instruments, it makes us tighter as a band!

Practice? Some do, some don't, some should, some won't...
I do because I need to...
My buddy, Dave doesn't, because he's never needed to...

I have instruments all over my house... I never watch TV without one of them in my lap... Dave sleeps all day,watches sports all night and never touches an instrument unless he paid to... He doesn't even have a guitar in his home...

and yet, as good as I am, he's always been able to play circles around me... a cruel irony...

Our band never practices, unless we're backing up someone famous...

Ha! Makes sense I guess? Some people are just born to do something. Like Janet wrote, some people are "Born to run, and born to fly?" She loves when I bring that up? I'm going to bump it again in 6 months, can't help it; it's one of my favorite songs.

Adam Carolla has a podcast I listen to. He talks about his buddy Ray? Who he says basically drinks and smokes and doesn't workout? (like me) But people think he's a gym nut? Because I guess he's naturally muscular, like me. I can drop and give you 20 "good ones..." And I'll throw down? (me? NO!! Really? Yes, yes I will; I'll open a can? A BIG can... And it won't end well for the other guy... And starting this year? I get my senior discount... Makes no difference? Just ordered the Bad MoFo wallet from Pulp Fiction fame.)

I do some things "every day" which is why my right arm is so much bigger and stronger than the left? But I don't "practice" typically, especially on the bass or guitar! But I'm about ready to lay it down starting tomorrow (God willing and the creek don't rise...) I've listened "carefully" to the cover, and I am now ready to faithfully recreate it. It's a tribute to the guy who did the original version? I was really impressed by his performance, which is why I've spent 2 weeks figuring out what he did, and how he did it ;-)  

"Persistence is rewarded..."   Which is why I continue to email Megan Fox every day? Oh dear God please reward me Megan! PLEASE!!

Although its enjoyable to "jam", I find that most players while "jamming" will fall into patterns that are comfortable to them,  therefore few new things are learned.  Most great compositions are made up of very specific parts which make the whole much more the the sum of the parts. Practicing new scales, time signatures, and especially unfamiliar genres can be extremely rewarding. Nothing contributes more to a solid track than dedicated rehearsal. It sounds like you're ready to nail it.........................

I just jam and punch in if I screw up.

I don't really "practice" per se. Kind of wish I had a reason to. Problem for me is that I go thru these phases of recording and not recording. They are long phases so my chops go to hell. Calouses all gone. Gotta start over everytime. So, I go thru weeks of getting ready when I'm getting ready...